38/44 HD question

[PuertoRican]

Hi all. New guy here. Only have 1 S&W at present. Nickle plated .38 Airweight Model 38. Looking at purchasing a 38/44 HD. Any advice on using +P ammo in it?
Thanx

 

[Dave T]

Welcome to the forum. The Heavy Duty was made for +P. You could even go so far as to say the 38/44 was the first +P 38 Special. In fact the original performance of the 38/44 makes the +P you can find today look like a sickly, second cousin. (smile)

Dave

 

[Pisgah]

+P loads are like mother's milk for a Heavy Duty. They were built for what were really mid-level .357 Magnum-type loads of 1200 fps or so, while modern +P loads will rarely reach 1000 fps except with light bullets.

 

[PuertoRican]

Thanx. I was pretty sure +P would be OK but I thought I'd check with the experts.

 

[maglvr]

Assuming you are asking about the 38-44 and not the Airweight, LOAD that baby right up to what it is capable of and let her rock and roll!!!
1300+ fps is easy to get out of a 38-44 and that's driving a 173gr hardcast Keith bullet

 

[delta-419]

The 38-44HD is an awesum gun. I have one converted to .357 mag that shoots great. Warning! They are addictive and you cann't stop with just one.